A foldable climber comprises a plurality of walls coupled to each other by a plurality of hinges, each wall being substantially perpendicular a support surface when the climber is in an assembled position. At least one platform is removably connected to at least two of the walls to stabilize the structure when in the assembled position. When the structure is in the collapsed position, the walls fold into a substantially flat configuration and define regions in which the platform can be stored.
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16. A play structure having assembled and collapsed positions, comprising:
a plurality of hinged walls coupled to each other; at least one panel removably connected to at least one of the walls, wherein the walls, when the structure is in the collapsed position, include therebetween a region for the placement of the panel; and a wheel coupled to the lower portion of one of the walls.
11. A collapsible play structure erectable to an assembled position and collapsible to a collapsed position, comprising
a plurality of walls including first and second end walls and at least two intermediate walls, each intermediate wall hinged to two adjacent walls around respective axes spaced from each other, each end wall hinged to a respective one of the intermediate walls around an axis; and first and second ones of said intermediate walls forming external sides of the play structure in the collapsed condition, a latching member connecting together first ends of the first and second ones of the intermediate walls when the play structure is in the collapsed condition.
21. A foldable climber capable of being in an assembled position on a support surface and in a collapsed position, comprising:
a plurality of walls coupled to each other by a plurality of hinges in both the assembled and collapsed position, each wall being substantially perpendicular to the support surface when the climber is in the assembled position; a first platform positioned at an angle to, removably connected to, and bracing at least two of the walls, the platform securing the position of two of the walls when the climber is in the fully assembled position; and a locking mechanism having a member rotatably connected to the side of one of the walls, the member swinging into and out of engagement with a bar coupled to another one of the walls.
1. A foldable climber capable of being in an assembled position on a support surface and in a collapsed position, comprising:
a plurality of walls coupled to each other by a plurality of hinges in both the assembled and collapsed position, each wall being substantially perpendicular to the support surface when the climber is in the assembled position; a first platform positioned at an angle to, removably connected to, and bracing at least two of the walls, the platform securing the position of two of the walls when the climber is in the fully assembled position, wherein the first platform mateably engages at least two of the walls; and a second platform removably connected to the first platform, the second platform capable of mateably engaging at least one wall, wherein the first and second platforms secure the position of each of the walls with respect to each other.
2. The climber of
3. The climber of
5. The climber of
6. The climber of
9. The climber of
10. The climber of
12. The structure of
13. The structure of
14. The structure of
15. The collapsible play structure of
17. The structure of
18. The structure of
19. The structure of
20. The structure of
22. The climber of
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This invention relates generally to children's play structures. More particularly, this invention relates to a children's play structure that can be easily assembled, collapsed and stored and transported by an individual.
Play structures for young children are well known in the toy industry. In particular, there are a number of play structures currently available that are intended for use by children of ages between about two and five years. These structures typically have various features that allow children to climb the walls and platforms on the structure. Several such structures include slides or other items that increase the children's overall level of enjoyment.
In addition to the climbers being enjoyable for small children, a significant feature of some of these structures is the ability to store the climber in a relatively compact space when the structure is not in use. It is also important that the climbers can be assembled and disassembled with relative ease. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,437,573, issued to Rodriguesferre discloses a structure that includes several walls which are connected to each other by several corner panels. A horizontal platform and a slide are connected to at least one of the walls, and a round bar is used to stabilize at least two of the walls. A major disadvantage of this structure, however, is that many parts are required for assembly of the structure. U.S. Pat. No. 5,580,316 issued to Hill et al. discloses a foldable play structure with a plurality of walls and a slide. The walls are hingedly connected to each other, and the hinged regions include stop surfaces and projections to latch the walls when in the assembled position. There are no horizontal components that can both add to the overall stability of the structure and increase the enjoyment of the users by having an additional object to climb on.
It is therefore desirable to have a foldable play structure that cures the above-mentioned deficiencies while still optimizing the user's level of enjoyment.
This invention provides for a collapsible play structure comprising a plurality of walls coupled to each other by a plurality of hinges. In an assembled position, at least one platform is removably connected to at least two of the walls, thereby bracing the walls and increasing the overall stability of the structure. When the structure is collapsed, the walls fold along the hinges such that the walls fold into a substantially flat configuration. In this collapsed position, the overall thickness of the structure is substantially similar to the combined thicknesses of each of the walls.
In a preferred embodiment, when the structure is in a collapsed configuration, regions exist inside the structure for the storage of the platform, slide and possibly other components. Preferably, a latching mechanism is coupled to at least two of the walls, locking the walls in place when the structure is in the collapsed position. Also preferably, at least one wheel is located on a lower portion of one of the walls, permitting an individual to handle the structure and roll it back to storage.
One technical advantage of the collapsible structure of the present invention is that it requires little time to assemble.
A further advantage of the invention is that the play structure requires no additional tools to assemble or disassemble.
Another advantage of the invention is that all of the components of the play structure can be easily stored in one self-contained unit when the structure is in a collapsed position.
Another advantage of the invention is its ease in transportation when the structure is in the collapsed position.
Another advantage of the invention's foldable play structure is that, while requiring a relatively few number of components for the user to assemble, it has superior stability when in the assembled position in order to maintain adequate safety levels for children.
Further advantages and features of the present invention will be apparent from the following specification and claims, once considered in connection with the accompanying drawings illustrating the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Like characters identify like parts in the drawings.
As shown in
The first platform 30 is removably connected to the second wall 24 by an abutment member 110, best shown in FIG. 6. The abutment member 110 fits into a slot (not shown) in the second wall 24. A similar abutment member is used to couple the first platform 30 to the first wall 22. According to one embodiment of the invention, the platforms 30 and 32 are secured to the first, second, and fourth walls 22, 24, and 28.
The first and second platforms 30 and 32 are connected to each other by a pin connector 80, shown in detail at FIGS. 8 and 13-14. The pin connector 80 comprises a top portion 200, a spring 202 and a lower portion 204. According to one embodiment of the invention, the pin connector 80 is fixedly located within the first platform 30 when the two platforms 30 and 32 are separated from each other. When the structure 20 is assembled, the user pushes the first platform onto the second platform 32, and the lower portion 204 of the pin connector 80 locks into a hole on the second platform 32. To unlock the connector 80 the lower portion 204 is pushed up from underneath the platforms 30 and 32, causing the platforms 30 and 32 to disengage.
The platforms 30 and 32 may also include additional mating surfaces to ensure a better fit between them. As shown in
A slide 34 is removably connected to the second platform 32 via projections 120 and 122 that fit into holes 124 and 126 of the second platform 32. The projections 120 and 122, best shown in
Complete stabilization by a platform could also be achieved in a structure having three walls. In a structure having five or more walls, the walls to which the platform(s) attach will be locked into place with respect to each other, so long as the platform(s) are in a plane which is at an angle to each attached wall and that the attached walls are at an angle to each other.
When it is desired to collapse and store the structure 20, the platforms 30 and 32 and the slide 34 are removed from the structure. The walls 22, 24, 26 and 28 fold at the hinges 36, 38, and 40 to create a more compact structure. In particular, the third and fourth walls 26 and 28 rotate via hinge 40 such that the two walls 26 and 28 rest directly against each other. Similarly, the first and second walls 22 and 24 rotate about hinge 36 so that those two walls 22 and 24 rest against each other. The second and third walls 24 and 26, which are intermediate to the first and fourth walls 22 and 28, then rotate inwardly about hinge 38 in a direction such that the first and fourth walls 22 and 28 will come into contact with each other, while the second and third walls 24 and 26 will be outside of the first and fourth walls 22 and 28. The fully collapsed structure is shown on
Before folding the third and fourth walls 26 and 28 about the hinge 40, the slide 34 is stored inside a depression 150 of the fourth wall 28, shown in
Once the second and third walls 24 and 26 are rotated such that the walls 24 and 26 come into contact with each other, a latch, shown generally at 50 in
When in the collapsed position, the overall thickness of the structure 20 is substantially reduced. According to one embodiment of the invention, the thickness of the collapsed structure is only about one-fourth the thickness of the assembled structure and is substantially equal to the combined thicknesses of each of the walls 22, 24, 26 and 28. It is possible to vary the thickness ratio of the assembled and collapsed structure 20, however, by adjusting the lengths or thicknesses of the walls 22, 24, 26, and 28. Advantageously, the intermediate, hinged walls 24 and 26 form the outer sides of the structure when the structure 20 is in the collapsed position. The end walls 22 and 28, which are hinged only on one side, are folded inwardly to occupy space interiorly of the intermediate walls 24 and 26. This cages the end walls 22 and 28 when the structure is in the collapsed position.
When the structure 20 is in the collapsed position, the arrangement of the walls 22, 24, 26 and 28 combine to create an open space in which the first and second platforms 30 and 32 can be stored. The storage of the first and second platforms is shown in
As is shown in
According to one embodiment of the invention, the structure 20 comprises plastic material. Preferably the material is lightweight such that an average adult can move the structure when it is in the collapsed position. It is also important, however, for the material to be strong enough to support the weight of one or more children at a time.
While several preferred embodiments have been shown and described in this application, it is understood that changes and modifications can be made to the invention without departing from the invention's broader aspects. For example, different forms of hinges, abutments and projections can be used in order to attach the walls, platforms, or slide to other components. Additionally, different forms of hinges, latches, connectors or coupling devices can also be used throughout the structure. Furthermore, the shape and color of the individual walls, platforms or slide can also be adjusted in order to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the structure. Finally, the structure can also be made of a variety of different materials in order to increase the overall strength of the structure or to reduce the cost thereof. Therefore the present invention is not limited to the described and illustrated embodiment but only by the scope and spirit of the independent and dependent claims.
McEachen, Peter C., Heipp, Shawn D.
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Executed on | Assignor | Assignee | Conveyance | Frame | Reel | Doc |
Jun 07 2000 | MCEACHEN, PETER C | LITTLE TIKES COMPANY, THE | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 011098 | /0650 | |
Jun 07 2000 | HEIPP, SHAWN D | LITTLE TIKES COMPANY, THE | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 011098 | /0650 | |
Jun 09 2000 | The Little Tikes Company | (assignment on the face of the patent) | / |
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